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The standings said the 2012 Hanover Area football team did not win a game. There's no denying that.

Hanover Area's closest margin of defeat was a 10-point loss to Holy Redeemer with the next closest being by 12 points to Nanticoke Area.

The biggest and only victory the Hawks experienced last year came on the practice field, where players stuck with it to the end and did not give up on one of the worst seasons in program history. That is the one positive head coach Ron Hummer took away from last season and the one he is building on for this year.

"A mentality change, that is the biggest challenge coming into this year," Hummer said. "Every year you look to be competitive. To be 0-10 was tough mentally for our players. The thing we had last year is not one guy quit. I kind of equate last year to a junior varsity team playing a varsity team. We started 60 percent sophomores and you can't compete at that level starting that many sophomores."

The Hawks went winless last year for the first time since 1978 and are coming off back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since having three consecutive sub-.500 seasons in 1993-95.

"A lot of people complained but never inside the locker room or on the field did we listen to that," Hummer said. "We concentrated on getting better. I think the problem was they didn't accept losing, but it wasn't a hard thing to do. We got in a pattern where we lost again.

The coaches have pride in this program and the tradition is we don't lose. It was hard for us to deal with, more than the players, which you can't have."

That is where the changes are coming in.

"If you don't look back at last season and make changes, then it is the coach's fault. I have to look back and see what went wrong.I couldn't do that with four varsity coaches. Now I have six."

The biggest addition to the coaching staff is the return of Brian McDermott, who will run the offense. McDermott has 24 years of coaching experience, 12 of them with Hummer. With both on the same page on offense, that will leave Hummer more opportunities to focus on other parts of the team.

"We are going to run an offense more suited to our players. We have cut a lot of things out," Hummer said. "With more coaches, we are going to have more eyes on the field and the players and we can see where we can help them get better."

The strength of this year's team, as it typically is with Hanover Area, is up front on the offensive line. Traditionally, when the Hawks have been good, it has been because of their work in the trenches. That is what Hummer will be relying on this year - the line and a running game that is traditionally another strength of Hanover Area football.

The Hawks will start four juniors and one sophomore on the offensive line this year. Three of them - Tony Marcincavage, Randy Florek and Jes Sheridan - saw extensive time last year.

"When we have had linemen for two years we have been very successful," Hummer said. "We get to work with them and they know the system, so it is just routine for them. Three of the starting five this season played significant time last year."

As far as last year is concerned, there are no reminders of the 0-10 season. From the coaching staff all the way down to the players, it is a forgotten season with the focus now on ending a 13-game losing streak dating to the 2011 season.

"Winning more than half of our games has always been the case to have a successful season," Hummer said. "We are coming off 3-7 and 0-10 seasons. We don't look at last year as a failed season. The biggest thing people don't see is from day one to the last day of the season they practiced and worked hard. That was a win. The easiest thing to do would be to walk away. They showed they have some pride."

QUARTERBACKS

Ya'Sir Jones rushed for 304 yards last season, but he's out with an injury, so Jacob Peters and Kyle Starzynski will have to step up.

RUNNING BACKS

Brian Belcher led the team in rushing last year with 707 yards and is back. Isaiah Taylor, Elido Veras, Alex Jacobs and Brandyn Cole will also see time at tailback. Khalil Lewis and Mike Kremenic are the fullbacks. Sean Westawski could also see time.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Stephen Morgan will be the split end. Taylor and D.J. Linker will also be on the perimeter. Veras saw some time at the spot near the end of last year and Michael Beierle has made a nice impression over the offseason.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Shaun Jones will be the cener with Frank Geklinsky also expected to see time. The right guard will be Jes Sheridan with John Sheridan playing right tackle. Randy Florek will be the left guard with Tony Marcincavage playing left tackle. Jordan Hagler and Ian Ondek are the tight ends. Marcincavage, Florek and Jes Sheridan saw a lot of playing time last year.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Hagler, Sean Westawski, Jimmy Thiemann, Tom Wolsieffer, Connor Bowers and Mike Jablonski are in play to start at defensive end. Marcincavage, Jes Sheridan, John Sheridan and Frank Geklinsky will rotate in at tackle.

LINEBACKERS

Kremenic, the leading tackler on the team last year, will be one of the inside linebackers. Florek and Khalil Lewis will also see time on the inside. Belcher, Cole and Taylor will be the outside linebackers.

SECONDARY

Morgan, Veras, Linker and Mike Lewis are in the mix for three spots at corner. Veras and Linker will be at safety.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The kicker will be either Bowers or Mike Lewis. The punting job is up for grabs.

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